Peach tree named ‘Burpeachfifteen’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ), and which is denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachfifteen’, and which further produces an attractively colored yellow-fleshed, freestone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately August 28 to September 8 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety ofpeach tree, Prunus persica, which has been denominated varietally as‘Burpeachfifteen’.

ORIGIN

The present variety of peach tree resulted from an on-going program offruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of this program is to improvethe commercial quality of deciduous fruit and nut varieties androotstocks by creating and releasing promising selections of prunus,malus and regia species. To this end we make both controlled and hybridcross pollinations each year in order to produce seedling populationsfrom which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling ‘Burpeachfifteen’ was originated by us from a population ofseedlings grown in our experimental orchards located near Fowler, Calif.The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were the result of a controlledcross of the yellow-fleshed ‘B2.026’ peach tree (unpatented) which wasused as the seed parent and the white-fleshed, nectarine tree,‘B17.025’, (unpatented) which was used as the pollen parent. Oneseedling, which is the present variety, exhibited especially desirablecharacteristics, and was designated as ‘E24.018’. This seedling wasmarked for subsequent observation. After the 1999 season, the newpresent variety was selected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peach tree wasaccomplished by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (un-patented) after the1999 growing season. This was performed by us in our experimentalorchard located near Fowler, Calif. Subsequent evaluations performed inlatter years have shown those asexual reproductions run true to theoriginal tree. All characteristics of the original tree and its fruitwere established and appear to be transmitted through succeeding asexualpropagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Burpeachfifteen’ is a new and distinct variety of peach tree, which isof large size, and which has vigorous growth, and which further is aregular and productive bearer of relatively large, firm, yellow fleshed,freestone fruit having good flavor and eating quality. The tree has amedium chilling requirement of approximately 600 hours. The new treealso produces relatively uniformly sized fruit throughout the tree. Thefruit further has a high degree of red skin coloration, and a firmflesh. The fruit also appears to have good handling and shippingqualities. Still further, the ‘Burpeachfifteen’ peach tree bears fruitwhich are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment on approximatelyAugust 28 to September 8 under the ecological conditions prevailing inthe San Joaquin Valley of Central California. In comparison to the peachtree variety, ‘B2.026’ which is the seed parent, the present variety,‘Burpeachfifteen’ ripens at least about 12 or more days earlier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing which is provided is a color photograph of thepresent variety. It depicts two whole mature fruit and one fruit isdissected substantially along the equatorial plane to expose the fleshand the pit thereof. Additionally a characteristic twig bearing typicalleaves is shown. The external coloration of the fruit as shown issufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment. The colors are asnearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of thistype. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the colorsof the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not beaccurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, futurecolor references should be made to the color plates (Royal HorticulturalSociety) and the other descriptions provided for hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed in thefourth fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at ourorchard which is located near the town of Fowler, county of Fresno,state of California. All major color code designations are by referenceto The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The RoyalHorticultural Society of Great Britain.

Tree:

Size.—Generally. — Considered medium large when compared to other commoncommercial peach cultivars ripening in the early season of maturity. Thetree of the present variety was pruned to a height of approximately280.0 cm to 316.0 cm at maturity.

Vigor.—Moderately vigorous. The present variety grew from about 120.0 cmto 152.0 cm in height during the first growing season. The variety waspruned to a height of approximately 134.6 cm in the first dormant seasonand primary scaffolds were selected for the desired tree structure.

Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set varies from about twice to severaltimes more than the desired crop load. Fruit set is spaced by thinningto develop the remaining fruit into the desired market size. Number offruit set varies with climatic conditions and the cultural practicesemployed during the bloom period and is therefore not distinctive of thevariety.

Regularity of bearing.—Regular. Fruit set has been observed as heavy andthinning was necessary during the past 4 years.

Form.—Upright, and pruned to a vase shape.

Density.—Medium dense. It has been discovered that pruning the branchesfrom the center of the tree to obtain a resulting vase shape allows forair movement and appropriate amounts of sunlight to enhance fruit colorand renewal of fruiting wood throughout the tree.

Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in USDA HardinessZone 9. Winter chilling requirements are approximately 650 hours below7.0 degrees C. The variety appears to be hardy under typical Central SanJoaquin Valley climatic conditions.

Trunk:

Diameter.—Approximately 17.1 cm in diameter when measured at a distanceof approximately 15.24 cm above the soil level, at the end of the fourthgrowing season.

Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of paperyscarfskin being present.

Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. The lenticelsrange in size from approximately 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters in width, andfrom 1.0 to 2.0 millimeters in height.

Lenticel color.—Considered an Orange Brown, (RHS Greyed-Orange GroupN172 B).

Bark coloration.—Variable, but it is generally considered to begrey-brown, (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 175 A).

Branches:

Size.—Considered medium for the variety.

Diameter.—Average as compared to other varieties. The branches have adiameter of about 8.5 centimeters when measured during the fourth yearafter grafting.

Surface texture.—Average, and appearing furrowed on wood which isseveral years old.

Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable and betweenabout 42 to 53 degrees from the horizontal axis. This characteristic isnot considered distinctive of the variety however.

Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially glabrous.

Internode length.—Approximately 2.4 to 2.8 cm.

Color of mature branches.—Medium brown, (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 176 B).

Current season shoots.—Color. — Light green, (RHS Yellow Green Group 152D). The color of new shoot tips is considered a bright and shiny green(RHS Green Group 141 B).

Leaves:

Size.—Considered medium large for the species. Leaf measurements havebeen taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth atapproximately mid-shoot.

Leaf length.—Approximately 150.0 to 164.0 millimeters.

Leaf width.—Approximately 33.0 to 47.0 millimeters.

Leaf base shape.—Slightly oblique relative to the leaf longitudinalaxis.

Leaf form.—Lancelolate.

Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.

Leaf color.—Dark green, (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group 146 A).

Leaf texture.—Glabrous.

Lower surface.—Medium green, (RHS Yellow-Green Group 146 C).

Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.

Mid-vein.—Color. — Light yellow green, (RHS Yellow Green Group 145 A).

Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating. Form — Considered crenate,occasionally doubly crenate. Uniformity — Considered generally uniform.

Leaf petioles.—Size — Considered medium. Length — 9.0 to about 13.5 mm.Diameter — 1.5 to about 2.5 mm. Color — Medium green, (RHS Yellow-GreenGroup 146 C).

Leaf glands.—Size — About 1.0 mm in height and about 1.0 mm in width.Number — Generally one per side, occasionally two per side. Type —Globose, considered reasonably appressed to the petiole margin. Color —Orange brown, (RHS Grey-Brown Group199 B).

Leaf stipules.—Size — Considered medium large for the variety. Number —Typically 2 per leaf bud and up to 6 per shoot tip. Form — Lanceolate inform and having a serrated margin. Color — Green, (RHS Green Group 139B) when young but graduating to a brown color, (RHS Greyed-Orange groupN172 A) with advancing senescence. The stipules are considered to beearly deciduous.

Flowers:

Flower buds.—Generally — The floral buds, depending upon the stage ofdevelopment, are typically approximately 6.0 millimeters wide; about12.0 millimeters long; conic in form; and slightly appressed relative tothe bearing shoot.

Flower buds.—Color — The bud scales are reddish-brown, (approximatelyRHS Greyed Purple Group 183 A). The buds are considered hardy undertypical central San Joaquin Valley climatic conditions.

Hardiness.—No winter injury has been noted during the last several yearsof evaluation in the central San Joaquin Valley. The current variety hasnot been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress and thereforethis information is not available.

Date of first bloom.—Mar. 3, 2000.

Blooming time.—Considered mid-season in comparison to other commercialpeach cultivars grown in the central San Joaquin Valley. Date of fullbloom was observed on Mar. 8, 2000. The date of bloom varies slightlywith climatic conditions and cultural practices.

Duration of bloom.—Approximately 9 days. This varies slightly withclimatic conditions.

Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.

Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately 38.0 to 42.0millimeters.

Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.

Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 appear per node.

Petal size.—Generally — Considered medium for the species. Length —Approximately 16.0 to 20.0 millimeters. Width — Approximately 14.0 to17.0 millimeters.

Petal form.—Broadly ovate.

Petal count.—Nearly always 5.

Petal texture.—Glabrous.

Petal color.—Light pink when young, (RHS Red Purple Group 65 B) anddarkening with advancing senescence and exposure to sunlight to a mediumto dark pink, (RHS Red Purple Group 65 A).

Fragrance.—Slight.

Petal claw.—Form — The claw is considered truncate, and has amedium-small size when compared to other varieties. Length —Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters. Width — Approximately 6.0 to 7.0millimeters.

Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly smooth, tomoderately undulate and ruffled, especially apically.

Petal apex.—Generally — The petal apices generally appear slightlygrooved at the tip.

Flower pedicel.—Length — Considered medium-long, and having an averagelength of approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters. Diameter — Consideredaverage, approximately 2.0 millimeters. Color — A medium brown, (RHSGrey Brown Group N199 D).

Floral nectaries.—Color — A Dull orange red, (RHS Orange-Red Group 34A).

Calyx.—Surface Texture — Generally glabrous. Color — A dull red,(approximately RHS Greyed Purple Group 183 A).

Sepals.—Surface texture — The surface has a short, fine pubescenttexture. Size — Average, and ovate in form. Color — A dull red,(approximately RHS Greyed-Red Group 178 A).

Anthers.—Generally — Average to above average in length. Color — Red toreddish-orange dorsally, (approximately RHS Greyed Red Group 179 A).

Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color,(approximately RHS Yellow Orange Group 17 B).

Filaments.—Size — Variable in length, approximately 15.0 to 19.0millimeters. Color — Considered white to a pinkish-white, (RHS RedPurple Group 62 D).

Pistil.—Number — Usually 1, rarely 2. Generally — Average in size.Length — Approximately 17.0 to 19.0 millimeters including the ovary.Color — Considered a very pale green, (approximately RHS Yellow GreenGroup 150 C). Surface Texture — The variety has a long pubescent pistil.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe). Date offirst picking — Aug. 25, 2002. Date of last picking. — Sep. 8, 2002. Thedate of harvest varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Size.—Generally — Considered large, and uniform. Fruit size can beinfluenced by cultural practices.

Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 78.0 to 83.0 millimeters.

Average axial diameter.—Approximately 72.0 to 79.0 millimeters.

Typical weight.—Approximately 328.0 grams. This is highly dependent uponcultural practices and therefore not distinctive of the variety.

Fruit form.—Generally — Moderately oblate. The fruit is generallyuniform in symmetry.

Fruit suture.—Shallow, and extending from the base to apex. No apparentcallousing or stitching exists along the suture line.

Suture.—Color — This has a yellow to golden yellow background color,(approximately RHS Yellow-Orange Group 20 B) and occasionally havingsome additional red coloration, (approximately RHS Red Group 53 A).

Ventral surface.—Form — Slightly indented.

Apex.—Rounded.

Base.—Retuse.

Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in the suture plane. Averagedepth of the stem cavity is about 1.45 cm. Average width is about 2.33cm.

Fruit skin.—Thickness — Considered medium in thickness, and tenacious tothe flesh. Texture — Short, fine pubescence. Taste — Non-astringent.Tendency to crack. — None observed.

Color.—Blush Color — This red blush color is variable from a reddishorange, (approximately RHS Orange-Red Group 33 B) to a dark red,(approximately RHS Red Group 53 A). Blush color ranges from about 75% to90% of the fruit surface depending upon the sunlight exposure of thefruit and the prevailing growing conditions. Ground color — Yelloworange, (approximately RHS Yellow-Orange Group 20 B).

Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters.Diameter — Approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters. Color — Paleyellow-green, (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group 144 C).

Flesh.—Ripens — Evenly. Texture — Firm, and dense. Considerednon-melting. Fibers — A few, small, and tender ones are found. Aroma —Very slight. Eating quality — Very good. Flavor — Considered sweet andmildly acidic. The flavor is considered both pleasant and balanced.Juice — Moderate. Brix — About 14.5 degrees. This characteristic variesslightly with the number of fruit per tree, prevailing culturalpractices, and the surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh Color — Paleyellow, (approximately RHS Yellow-Orange Group 15 C).

Stone:

Type.—Freestone.

Size.—Considered medium large for the variety.

Length.—Average, about 29.0 to about 32.0 millimeters.

Width.—Average, about 25.0 to about 27.0 millimeters.

Diameter.—Average, about 16.0 to 19.0 millimeters.

Form.—Obovoid.

Base.—The stone base is usually rounded, but may vary from rounded tostraight.

Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is raised and has an acute, short tip.

Stone surface.—Surface Texture — Irregularly furrowed toward the apex,and pitted toward the base. The stone exhibits substantial pittinglaterally. Substantial grooving over the apical shoulders is alsoevident. Surface pitting is prominent generally, and more frequently, itis present basally. Ridges — The surface texture varies from sharp torounded. Ventral Edge — Width — Considered medium, and having adimension of approximately 3.7 to 5.7 millimeters when measured atmid-suture. The wings are most prominent over the suture line. DorsalEdge — Shape. — Full, heavily grooved, and having jagged edges. Thedorsal edge is moderately eroded over the apical shoulder.

Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is a medium-brown,(approximately Greyed-Orange Group RHS 166 C).

Tendency to split.—Splitting has not commonly been noted.

Kernel.—Size — Kernel is considered medium large. Form — Consideredovoid. Pellicle — Pubescence is not developed at fruit senescence. Color— (Approximately RHS Greyed-Orange Group 164 B).

Use.—The subject variety ‘Burpeachfifteen’ is considered to be a latematuring Peach tree which produces fruit that are considered firm,attractively colored, and which are useful for both local and longdistance shipping.

Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit has stored well up to 21 days afterharvest at about 1.0 degree Celsius.

Shipping quality.—Considered good. Fruit showed minimal bruising offlesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting andpacking procedures.

Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular susceptibilities werenoted. The present variety has not been tested to expose or detect anysusceptibilities or resistances to any known plant and/or other fruitdiseases.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Fowler, Calif., in the Central part of the San Joaquin Valley ofCalifornia, it should be understood that variations of the usualmagnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are tobe expected.

Having thus described and illustrated our new variety peach tree, whatwe claim is new and desire to secure by Plant Letters Patent is:
 1. Anew distinct variety of peach tree substantially as illustrated anddescribed, and which is characterized principally as to novelty byproducing an attractively colored yellow-fleshed, freestone peach whichis mature for harvesting and shipment approximately August 28 toSeptember 8 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the SanJoaquin Valley of Central California.